IT201900006678A1 - USER INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE AND TELEMONITORING - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

"USER INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE E

TELEMONITORING "

The present invention relates to a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring.

In particular, the invention finds application in the medical sector for patient assistance.

Currently, user interface systems for telemedicine and telemonitoring are known which comprise a fixed hub connected to a defined number of medical devices which allow to monitor the patient's condition and acquire measurements on the patient's state of health.

The hub is able to communicate with medical devices and report to the patient various information contents representative of the measurements taken or report to the patient the need to perform new scheduled measurements or the need to take a certain drug.

The Applicant noted how often the interrogation of the hub or the interaction with it by the patient is not particularly practical and comfortable for patients with reduced motor skills.

Having to physically reach the hub to interact with it, typically the patient must read the instructions on the display or press buttons, in some hospitalization situations where the patient has reduced mobility it is difficult to reach the hub if this is not placed near the patient.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring that can be conveniently used by the patient, even in conditions of reduced mobility, to improve the user experience and simplify interaction with the system.

The specified technical task and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the present invention provides a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring comprising a command and control unit comprising first communication means configured to communicate with a plurality of medical devices.

Preferably, second communication means configured to communicate with a data management and storage server are also provided. Preferably, the system comprises a first user interface configured to allow a patient to issue one or more first commands to the command and control unit.

Preferably, the presence of a processor associated with the first interface, the first communication means and the second communication means is provided.

The processor of the control unit is preferably configured to receive at least a first command signal representative of the first commands from the first user interface.

Furthermore, the processor preferably queries the data management and storage server by sending the first command signal via the second communication means.

Preferably, this processor is also designed to receive from the second communication means a first response signal generated by the data management and storage server in response to the query.

Preferably, the processor is also configured to communicate to the first user interface a first information signal related to the first response signal.

It should be noted that, according to an embodiment, the first user interface is also configured to translate the first information signal into a first audio and / or visual information content and communicate the first information content to the patient.

According to an aspect of the invention, the system is characterized by the fact of comprising a portable device equipped with a second user interface and a wireless communication module configured to communicate with third parties wireless communication means of the command and control unit.

Preferably, the second user interface is configured to allow the patient to issue one or more second commands to the portable device. Preferably, furthermore, the third wireless communication means are configured to receive second command signals representative of the second commands from the wireless communication module.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the processor of the command and control unit is configured to receive the second command signals from the third wireless communication means.

Preferably, this processor is designed to interrogate the data management and storage server by sending the second command signals via the second communication means.

Furthermore, the processor is preferably configured to receive from the second communication means a second response signal generated by the data management and storage server in response to the query. Furthermore, the processor is preferably configured to send to the wireless communication module one or more second information signals related to the second response signal via the third wireless communication means.

According to another aspect of the invention, complementary to the previous ones, the second user interface is also configured to translate the second information signals received by the wireless communication module into one or more second audio and / or visual information contents and to communicate the second information to the patient. information content.

In this regard, preferably the second interface comprises at least one loudspeaker or speaker configured to reproduce the audio track representative of the second information content.

Thanks to the presence of the portable device, the patient can therefore advantageously interrogate and interact remotely with the control and command unit in a convenient and practical way.

Using the second user interface, the patient can easily interact remotely with the management and storage server as if directly interacting with the first user interface.

The dependent claims, incorporated herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an operating diagram of the user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to the attached figures, 1 indicates a user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring, henceforth simply system 1.

The system 1 comprises a command and control unit 2 comprising first communication means 3 configured to communicate with a plurality of medical devices D1, D2, Dn.

Preferably the first communication means 3 comprise one or more of the following connection modules: USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, ZWave.

Unit 2 includes 4 second communication means configured to communicate with a data storage and management server 5.

Server 5 is typically managed by the attending physician, who provides for the profiling and programming of the patient's care plan so that the patient can interact with the devices connected to unit 2 when required.

Preferably the second communication means 4 comprise one or more of the following connection modules: Wifi, LAN, GPRS.

Unit 2 comprises a first user interface 6 configured to allow a patient P to give unit 2 one or more first commands C1.

Preferably, the first user interface 6 comprises a plurality of buttons, not shown, which can be selected by the patient P to issue the first commands C1.

The first C1 commands can be a response to a signal / request sent by unit 2 via server 5, or querying server 5 via unit 2.

The unit 2 also comprises a processor 7 associated with the first user interface 6, the first communication means 3 and the second communication means 4.

Processor 7 is configured for:

- receive from the first user interface 6 at least a first command signal SC1 representative of one or more first commands C1, preferably given by selecting at least one button of the interface 6,

- interrogating the server 5 by sending the first command signal SC1 via the second communication means 4,

- receive from the second communication means 4 a first response signal SR1 generated by server 5 in response to the query carried out,

- communicating to the first user interface 6 a first information signal SI1 correlated to the first response signal SR1.

Note that the term "correlated" does not mean a mathematical correlation but a functional correlation, for which a first response signal SR1 is received by the processor 7 and suitably encoded to be sent in a manageable format, that is as information signal SI1, from the user interface 6.

The first user interface 6 is configured to translate the first information signal SI1 into a first audio and / or visual information content CI1 and communicate the first information content CI1 to the patient P.

Preferably, the unit 2 also comprises at least a visual and / or acoustic signaling module 8 configured to emit a warning signal SA.

Even more preferably the signaling module 8 comprises an LED and / or a loudspeaker.

Advantageously, the signaling module 8 allows the system to attract the attention of the patient P to signal, through the first user interface 6, the presence of a message arriving from the server 5. The message can be an instruction to take a certain drug or an instruction to perform a certain measurement by means of a medical device Dn at a predetermined time; the signaling module 8 can receive from the server 5 the warning signal SA to be emitted to call the patient's attention, who can then interact with the first interface 6 to find out which message the server 5 sent him.

Advantageously, moreover, the system 1 comprises a portable device 10 comprising a second user interface 11 configured to allow the patient P to give the portable device 10 one or more second commands C2 and a wireless communication module 12 configured to communicate with third wireless communication means. 9 of the command and control unit 2.

Therefore, through the portable device 10 the patient can communicate remotely with the unit 2.

In particular, the third wireless communication means 9 are configured to receive second command signals SC2 representative of the second commands C2 from the wireless communication module 12.

Preferably, the third wireless communication means 9 and the wireless communication module 12 comprise a connection module chosen from: Bluetooth, Wifi, ZWave, GPRS.

Advantageously, the processor 7 of the command and control unit 2 is configured for:

- receiving the second command signals SC2 from the third wireless communication means 9,

- interrogating the data management and storage server 5 by sending the second command signals SC2 via the second communication means 4,

- receiving from the second communication means 4 a second response signal SR2 generated by the server 5 in response to the query, - sending to the wireless communication module 12 one or more second information signals SI2 correlated to the second response signal SR2 through the third means wireless communication 9.

The second user interface 11 is also configured to translate the second information signals SI2 received by the wireless communication module 12 into one or more second audio and / or visual information contents CI2 and communicate them to patient P.

Preferably, the first command signals SC1 and the second command signals SC2 comprise at least one or more of the following instructions or queries to be sent to the server 5:

- help request,

- audio playback and / or message display,

- audio playback and / or viewing of patient measurements, - audio playback and / or viewing of appointments,

- proceed with the selection,

- go back in the selection,

- proceed up in the selection,

- proceed down to the selection.

Thanks to the present invention, therefore, the patient P can potentially remotely perform the same operations with the portable device 10 that he would carry out through the unit 2.

Thanks to the wireless communication between unit 2 and portable device 10, patient P can comfortably issue second commands C2 equivalent to the first commands C1 without having to physically reach, or interact directly, with unit 2.

In particular, according to one embodiment, the device 10 is dedicated to the application, that is, configured only to communicate remotely with the unit 2 as described so far and / or subsequently and to inform the user accordingly. In the preferred embodiment, the device 10 is a remote control.

According to an alternative embodiment, the device 10 can be a smartphone or a tablet equipped with a dedicated software application designed to use the pre-existing means of communication (e.g. Bluetooth).

Preferably the second information signals S12 comprise at least one audio signal representative of at least a second response to the second commands C2 and the second user interface 11 is configured to translate the audio signal into an audio track.

In this regard, preferably the second interface 11 comprises at least one loudspeaker 13 configured to reproduce the audio track representative of the second information content CI2.

Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the speaker 13, the patient P can therefore listen to the second information content CI2 comfortably from the portable device 10.

Preferably, in addition to or as an alternative to the possibility of receiving audio signals, the second information signals SI2 comprise at least one data signal representative of the second response to the second commands SC2, and the second user interface 11 is configured to translate the data signal into a second content visual CI2 information viewable on a display 14 of the second interface 11.

Thus patient P can read or listen to the second information content received from server 5.

Preferably, the second user interface 11 also comprises a plurality of buttons 15 which can be selected by the patient P to each send a respective second command signal SC2 to the command and control unit 2 by means of the wireless communication module 12.

Preferably the second user interface 11 can comprise a microphone 16 configured to record at least a second command C2 given by the patient P in vocal form.

Advantageously, the wireless communication module 12 is configured to receive at least a second command signal SC2 comprising a respective audio signal representative of the second command C2 in voice form recorded by the microphone 16.

In particular, preferably the second control signals SC2 transmitted by the microphone 16 to the wireless communication module 12 are equivalent to the second control signals SC2 selectable by means of the plurality of buttons 15.

Advantageously, therefore, the patient P can use the plurality of pushbuttons 15 or the microphone 16 in a completely analogous manner in order to issue the second commands C2 with the portable device 10.

Preferably the second user interface 11 comprises a respective button which can be selected to activate the microphone 16.

Preferably, the portable device 10 comprises a rechargeable battery 17 and the system 1 comprises a recharging base 20 comprising a housing seat 21 suitable for receiving the portable device 10.

The charging base 20 is configured to recharge and maintain the charge level of the rechargeable battery 17 of the portable device 10 when the portable device 10 is housed inside the housing 21.

Advantageously, the charging base 20 allows to reduce and eliminate the risk that the portable device 10 suddenly discharges, preventing its use.

Preferably, the portable device 10 comprises a power supply circuit with terminal connector, not shown, configured to face and interconnect with a respective connector of the housing seat 21; alternatively, it is possible to provide an induction recharging system which allows recharging the portable device 10 simply by placing it on the housing seat 21.

Preferably the portable device 10 comprises a sensor 18 configured to detect a movement of the portable device 10 from an equilibrium position and to generate a motion signal representative of the detected movement.

Advantageously, the portable device 10 is configured to switch, in response to the generation of the motion signal, the second user interface 11 from a standby condition, in which the wireless communication module 12 is disabled for communication with the third wireless communication means 9 of the command and control unit 2, to an operating condition, in which the wireless communication module 12 is enabled for communication with third communication means 9.

This allows energy savings in the non-use phase of the portable device 10 and an immediate activation of the same when the patient P grabs it, for example by removing it from the housing 21.

For example, the sensor can be of the accelerometric type.

Preferably the first user interface 6 can comprise a respective plurality of buttons, not shown, which can be selected by the patient P to each send a respective first command signal SC1 to the second communication means 4.

Advantageously, the first control signals SC1 are equivalent to the second control signals SC2 selectable by means of the buttons 15 of the second user interface 11 or recorded by the microphone 16.

Therefore, thanks to the present invention, the patient P has the possibility of interrogating and responding to the communications of the server 5 directly from the unit 2 (for example by means of the respective buttons) or by means of the portable device 10 (with a voice command via the microphone 16 or by means of selection of the respective buttons 15).

Advantageously, the unit 2 can be installed where most appropriate in the home of patient P, while the portable device 10 can follow patient P inside his home.

The portable device 10 can send an audio signal representative of the second command C2 received from patient P by means of the microphone 15 or a data signal representative of the second command C2 given by patient P by selecting the respective button 15. The two types of signals (audio and data), while corresponding therefore to the same second command C2, can be sent on separate transmission channels.

The present invention achieves the proposed aims, overcoming the drawbacks complained of in the known art and providing the user with an efficient and effective user interface system for telemedicine and telemonitoring capable of improving the experience of patient P by simplifying communication between physicians ( by configuring the patient profile on the server 5) and patient P.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. User interface system (1) for telemedicine and telemonitoring comprising a command and control unit (2) comprising: - first communication means (3) configured to communicate with a plurality of medical devices (D1, D2, Dn), - second communication means (4) configured to communicate with a data storage and management server (5), - a first user interface (6) configured to allow a patient (P) to give the command and control unit (2) one or more first commands (C1), - a processor (7) associated with the first interface (6), with the first communication means (3) and with the second communication means (4) and configured for: receiving from the first user interface (6) at least a first command signal (SC1) representative of said one or more first commands (C1), interrogating said data management and storage server (5) by sending said first command signal (SC1) via said second communication means (4), receive from said second communication means (4) a first response signal (SR1) generated by said data management and storage server (5) in response to said query, communicate to the first user interface (6) a first information signal (SI1 ) related to said first response signal (SR1); wherein said first user interface (6) is further configured to translate said first information signal (S11) into a first audio and / or visual information content (CI1) and communicate said first information content (CI1) to the patient (P); said system (1) being characterized in that it comprises a portable device (10) provided with: - a second user interface (11) configured to allow said patient (P) to give the portable device (10) one or more second commands (C2), - a wireless communication module (12) configured to communicate with third wireless communication means (9) of the command and control unit (2), said third wireless communication means (9) being configured to receive second command signals ( SC2) representative of said second commands (C2) from said wireless communication module (12); in which said processor (7) of the command and control unit (2) is configured for: receiving said second command signals (SC2) from said third wireless communication means (9), interrogating said data management and storage server (5) by sending said second command signals (SC2) via said second communication means (4), receive from said second communication means (4) a second response signal (SR2) generated by said data management and storage server (5) in response to said query, send one or more second signals to the wireless communication module (12) information (S12) correlated to said second response signal (SR2) through said third wireless communication means (9); wherein said second user interface (11) is further configured to - translate said one or more second information signals (SI2) received by the wireless communication module (12) into one or more second audio and / or visual information contents (CI2), - communicate to the patient (P) said one or more second information contents (CI2). System (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second information signals (S12) comprise at least one audio signal representative of at least one second response (SR2) to second commands (C2), and wherein said second user interface (11 ) is configured to translate said audio signal into an audio track and comprises at least one loudspeaker (13) configured to reproduce said audio track representative of the second information content (CI2). System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second user interface (11) comprises a plurality of buttons (15) selectable by the patient (P) to each send a respective second command signal (SC2) to the command and control unit (2) by means of said wireless communication module (12). System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second user interface (11) comprises a microphone (16) configured to record at least a second command (C2) given by the patient (P) in vocal form, said wireless communication module (12) being configured to receive at least a second command signal (SC2) comprising an audio signal representative of said second command (C2) in voice form recorded by the microphone (16). System (1) according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the second control signals transmitted by the microphone to the wireless communication module are equivalent to the second control signals selectable by means of the plurality of buttons. System (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said second user interface comprises a respective button selectable to activate said microphone (16). System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first communication means (3) comprise one or more of the following connection modules: USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, ZWave. System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second communication means (4) comprise one or more of the following connection modules: Wifi, LAN, GPRS. System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said third wireless communication means (9) and said wireless communication module (12) comprise a connection module chosen from: Bluetooth, Wifi, ZWave, GPRS . System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said command and control unit (2) comprises at least one visual and / or acoustic signaling module (8) configured to emit a warning signal (SA), said visual and / or acoustic signaling module (8) comprising a LED and / or a loudspeaker. System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said portable device (10) comprises a rechargeable battery (17) and in which said system (1) comprises a recharging base (20) comprising a housing seat (21) adapted to receive the portable device (10), said recharging base (20) being configured to recharge and maintain the charge level of the rechargeable battery (17) of the portable device (10) when the portable device (10) is housed inside said housing seat (21). System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said portable device (10) comprises a sensor (18) configured to detect a movement of the portable device (10) from an equilibrium position and to generate a signal of representative motion of said motion; said portable device (10) being configured to switch, in response to the generation of said motion signal, said second user interface (11) from a standby condition, in which the wireless communication module (12) is disabled for communication with third wireless communication means (9) of said command and control unit (2), to an operating condition, in which the wireless communication module (12) is enabled to communicate with said third communication means (9) of said unit command and control (2). System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first user interface (6) comprises a respective plurality of buttons that can be selected by the patient (P) to each send a respective first command signal (SC1) to the second means communication signals (4), and in which said first control signals (SC1) are equivalent to the second control signals (SC2) selectable by means of the buttons (15) of the second user interface (11) or recorded by said microphone (16). System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first command signals (SC1) and said second command signals (SC2) comprise at least one or more of the following instructions or queries to be sent to the management server and archiving (5): - help request, - audio playback and / or message display, - audio playback and / or display of patient measurements, - audio playback and / or appointment display, - proceed forward in the selection, - proceed backward in the selection, - proceed upwards in the selection, - proceed downwards in the selection.